The new "New Moms" thread!

[Jen_in_NH]

We just got back from the ER with Christopher a while ago. He was running in the dining room, and slipped. He whacked his head off the corner of the table, and cut his head, right in the eyebrow. He managed to not get stitches - they used the Dermabond to hold it together. He did really well with it. The most traumatic part was having the bracelet put on

Does anyone have any advice on napping? He still needs one, but will not take it in his crib. He will stand up, cry and scream until one of us picks him up and brings him back downstairs. He then falls asleep on the living room floor I thought that maybe he didn't want to be alone, so I tried just sitting in his room until he fell asleep, but no luck. The only thing I can think of is that the cat has been jumping into his crib with him and scares the poop out of him, so maybe he's afraid of that. But he doesn't seem to have the same problem at night. He just lays down and falls asleep then.

HELP!!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Ash, sounds like you did well on the test to me, and I hope you do pass this first time around!!

Becky, I'm with you on the clothes. I'm super short and slowly getting into the middle of the "healthy" weight zone for my height, and these styles all make me look pregnant or pooh-sized. You seriously need to be tall, slender, and under 25 to look best in most of what's out there. I'm leading the college/young adult group at church and I feel really frumpy next to all these young 20-somethings.

Wow, tough weekend for Brady and Caleb and Christopher! What is it with the weekends being when kids get sick and injured?

Owen had a fever of 102.9 last night, so I gave him some tylenol and took a warm bath with him. DH had never heard of giving a bath to get a fever down, and he was horrified to see Owen shivering in the tub. I felt bad, too, but I didn't want Owen to go to bed with a high fever - I needed to see it coming down before I put him down for the night - so in the tub we went. It worked, and we got his fever down to 99.8 by 8:30. He slept pretty well, just waking up and whimpering from time to time, and this morning had a temp of just 99.2 and hasn't had much of a booger face at all today.

Only problem is he's now turned into a bedtime MONSTER! Naps and bedtime he just screams as soon as we start the bedtime routine and he fights us the whole way. And then sometimes he'll fall asleep for a little while, and then wake up and scream some more and throw everything out of his crib and have a huge fit. This started a couple days ago and we just figured it was him not feeling well, but now he's clearly getting better but the sleep stuff is getting worse. Normally he naps for a total of 3-4 hours a day in 2 naps: sometimes each nap is about the same length, and sometimes he does one short and one long nap. Today he slept for less than 2 hours and was still a pill at bedtime. Just don't know what is up with this kid, but I sure miss the sweet snuggles we used to have for bedtime. Now it's just one big battle.

 

[beckmrk04]

Glad I'm not the only one suffering in the current fashion climate. Normally Lane Bryant is my go-to store for clothing, and I can't find a darn thing I like!

Well- we had a scare tonight, too. Vaylie has figured out how to climb out of her crib, and discovered the unpleasant consequences that follow. Luckily, she was fine, but it scared the @#$% out of me. So, I need to step up the toddler bed search, pronto. I may go look tomorrow.

Amber- UGH! The cap sleeves! Nothing draws attention to my big flabby arms like a ridiculous little poorly placed sleeve. I'd rather be sleeveless than have cap-sleeves.

Bethany- I have no advice. Vaylie is on an uncooperative jag about bedtime and diaper changes. Some days it's all I can do not to wring her adorable little neck.

Jen- glad Christopher is ok. Scars will make him look tough. I have one in my eyebrow from a knickknack smacking me in the face during a tornado! And another on my lip from playing "Ring-around-the-rosie" by myself (which equated to spinning in circles and making myself dizzy, hence I fell and smacked my lip on some piece of furniture...). Ah, the joys of childhood.

DMickey- We do have a similar nose! And sadly, I wish I weren't pooh-sized, but I wear an 18/20. But thanks for thinking me not pooh-sized. And now I'm all curious to see your mom!

Christina.... I am your mother. (lame star wars joke- can't help it, I married a nerd).

 

[Pollito916]

DMickey - Sorry to hear about all the drama in your life right now, you can vent to us anytime! I hope everything works out for you. It sounds like Alexander is doing great with his talking! I used to travel to the St Louis area for work (IL side), and I really liked it. It's not quite as fast paced as the Chicago area, just seems to have a generally more relaxed feel with most of the people I met.

Kreile - Yay on Caleb sleeping through the night, but sorry about the rough night that followed. I hope he goes back to sleeping again.

Nicole - What a crazy obituary, what I want to know is, who would write something like that?!?

Bethany - too bad about Owen still being sick and missing the shower this weekend, you guys just can't seem to get it out of your house this winter!

Kelly - Poor Brady being so sick! How can having a carseat in the front seat possibly be legal? That is just stupid! Alex has a cozy coupe and loves it!

Becky - I swear there have been no good clothes out since after Alex was born! The peasant type blouses actually kind of work on me, though, and I like them much better than the really long shirts that were so "in" last year, but just showed off every roll and lump and pointed out how short I am. Do any real women design clothes? I also caught my DH playing Grand Theft Auto with Alex one day (except Alex's remote wasn't plugged in). I gave him the lecture, but he just rolled his eyes. I'm sorry, but video games that involve stealing, killing, and pimpin hos just aren't appropriate for toddlers!

Jen - how scary, but I'm glad Christopher is ok! Did the problem with napping just start after he got hurt, or has he been that way for awhile?

Hi everyone else!

Some days it's all I can do not to wring her adorable little neck.

This cracked me up! It is so true, our kids are lucky they are so darn cute sometimes!

*******************

Like tonight. I was putting Alex to bed, and he was asking me to put his blanket on him. I told him to lay down (like I do every night), but he said, "I can't lay down. YOU lay down!"

WTH?!? Where did he get the idea to say something like that?

He was saying "I can't" all day with whatever he was doing, puzzles, picking up big toys, etc. But I kept saying, "Yes you can" like a good supportive mother. Where did he learn to talk back like that already?!?

Other than that we had a good weekend!

 

[jennyL]

you all are too funny about Grand Theft Auto. I came downstairs yesterday to DH and Noah watching Saving Private Ryan. Not sure what DH was thinking on that one.

I so agree about the clothing. I'm ok in the winter since its throw a sweater on but I was out Saturday looking for spring clothes and everything looks like maternity wear which before I had Noah I would have probably worn but now it is the last thing I want to put on. I did decide that once I get my stitches out tomorrow I need to really get on the exercise bandwagon and start getting ready for bathing suit season.

 

[7beasley]

Hi Guys

Becky - I totally agree with you about clothing and the current styles - ugh!

I am so sorry to hear about all these sick and hurt kiddos --- I hope everyone is feeling better today and that you guys are all doing ok! It sucks when our kids are sick or hurt!

Ash - fingers crossed for you re the test!

Have a great day ladies!!

-Nicole

 

[7beasley]

By the way Bec (and all) -- IKEA has really great toddler beds -- and they are online if you don't have one near you. I was at IKEA recently and was looking at their stuff and it was so cute and great and cheap that even though Izzy's crib is a convertible -- we decided that if I am lucky enough to get pregnant again this summer -- we are going to give the new baby Izzy's crib and buy her an IKEA toddler bed instead!

-Nicole

 

[kellyf2626]

Morning ladies....wow, rough weekend for some of us, huh?

Ash - Keeping my fingers crossed about the test. Usually the one's I thought I falied, I would pass. It was always the one's I thought I did ok, I would bomb. Keep us posted!

Becky - I hear ya about clothing. I wear a 12/14, and still can't find anything I like. This whole empire-waist crap (that looks like maternity) only accentuates my baby-belly-fat that won't go away since Brady. So, when I wear a style like that, I actually look pregnant. Nice. Nothing fits like it used to, unfortunately. Makes shopping not fun at all!

Jen - How scary about Christopher! Glad he is doing ok and didn't need stitches. I am pretty strict when it comes to crying and napping. Unless he is puking on himself, he cries until he sleeps (when I know he's tired and needs a nap). If it goes past 25 min or so, I'll go up and make sure he hasn't pooped (which can sometimes be the problem - the kid loves to lay down for 5 min and then poop ) and is ok. I'll rock him on my shoulder for a minute, then put him back down. Not sure if that helps...I know many aren't comfortable with that style.

Bethany - Good call on the warm bath...they hate it...but it usually always works.

Off to get my crying kiddo....still puking, diarrhea, and fever.

 

[DMickey28]

Jenny - Dh had Saving Private Ryan on with DS too!!

Jen - I am so glad Christopher is ok. We have been very lucky with Alexander, other than a busted gum line when hew as about a year we haven't had any broken skin yet.

Kelly - I am sorry he is still sick. That stinks ... I hope he feels better soon. I am the same way with CIO and stuff. Now that he is older it's easy to 'read' the cries and amazingly he allows me to go in and do what he needs and leave!!

Nicole - I am about a 14 (was back to 12 a few months ago but blew that out the window) and I can't find a thing to wear. I really like NY&Co but it's hard to find comfy casual clothes that don't look frumpy.

Pollito - I am sorry but it's funny about the back talk! Where do they learn it! Alexander barely gets two words together so we are a long way from senteneces like that ... can't wait!!

Becky - I actually asked my dad last night to scan in a wedding picture or something of my mom when she was around our age so I can show you!!

Nicole - I have seen the Ikea stuff. Super cute but also a little wierd in a way. Reminds me of something that the Umpa-lumpa's would have in the new WW&Chocolate Factory!! I am not sure if I will get new nursery furniture or move Alexander's over and get him stuff. I think because his crib is convertible and his dresser is a plain top vs. the one with the draw on top or something I will keep his with him. Especially if it's a girl, I really want to do up a new nursery and I actually want to get dark furniture this time ... either cherry or black, or just darker brown!! I figure we need to get Alexander a bed of some sort so I might as well just get him a mattress that will last him through HS!!!

****
Alexander woke up on the WRONG side of crib. No idea what his deal is but he is a CRANKY PANTS! We were going to go to the gym but I dn't think he'd let me drop him off. We are going to bring DH's laptop to him at work for his trip and do lunch instead. Keep your fingers crossed that O holds off until at least Thursday this week ... DH doesn't get home until Wedneday!

 

[k_reile]

Jen---Glad Christopher is ok.

Caleb slept much better last night. I don't know what his problem was yesterday. He would not nap at all. I finally had to go to the last resort and get out the car seat. He napped great both times in it yesterday and thankfully fell asleep in his crib last night and slept all night!

I too have a hard time with clothes being overweight and short (5'2). I am working on getting the baby weight off. I have about 10 more lbs of baby weight and then i want to lose the rest of my weight to make me back into my healthy weight and about a weight i was in hs and early college. I started dating my DH and it all went to crap! I am in about a 16 now...about the biggest I have ever been. I probably need to lost about 40-50 more lbs. I am the matron of honor in my best friends wedding in August and just ordered the dress. Ordered it in a size 10 so I have the measurements hanging up beside me on the wall of my office so I remember everyday what I have to do. Plus I did not lose weight this past week and it felt really bad in my biggest loser class. So now I am really being strict with it (and lost 2.5 of those lbs over the weekend---cleaning out my house must have really helped! )
Now that I am learning how to be healthier and choose better choices (mainly eating enough protein to help make me feel full and not crash and want a sugary snack) I am hoping to loose all the weight I want and then be able to have a much healthier pregnancy next time and not add on the lbs again.

 

[beckmrk04]

Well, for whatever reason Vaylie woke up this morning at 5:20 am. Ilet her cry for about 20 minutes- then it progressed to screaming bloody murder. So I go in there, and boy was she in a mood. Finally, I gave up trying to figure out what she wanted, because shelet out a blood-curdling shriek at every suggestion, so I went back to my bed. And the shrieking continued for another 20 minutes!

I was so tired, I convinced her to come to bed with me- and she actually did fall asleep in my bed (a first!). So, I got back to sleep at around 6:30, and we slept until 9. But I still feel like I was up all night.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I think Owen is dealing with some separation anxiety issues, and that's why he's really fighting us on naps and bedtime. It's heart-wrentching because he starts signing "more" as soon as I start bedtime and just cries and cries and screams "mama, daddy, more! mama! more!" And then he continues like that for about 45min before he'll fall asleep. I tried keeping him up later, and didn't start bedtime until he was rubbing his eyes and yawning, but that didn't work. Still the same screaming and crying.

I will go in once or twice and put everything back in his crib and give him a hug, but once he's settled again I leave and let him cry. He doesn't fall asleep if he can see us, and I haven't been able to get him to sleep in my arms unless he's sick or he falls asleep on his own and I pick him up. So I just have to let him cry it out and keep reassuring him that I'm right here and I'll come back.

The screaming though is really hard...can't wait for this phase to be over!

 

[clgwli]

Do you have room for one more? I have a son who was born at Thanksgiving just over a year ago. His name is Cris. I would love a place to chat with ladies who have kids near his age.

I think quite a few of you look very familiar to me You can call me Jean

 

[beckmrk04]

Sure Jean- come on in. The recent topics include: screaming, vomit, ugly clothes, and climbing into dryers naked.

 

[k_reile]

Do you have room for one more? I have a son who was born at Thanksgiving just over a year ago. His name is Cris. I would love a place to chat with ladies who have kids near his age.

I think quite a few of you look very familiar to me You can call me Jean

Hi Jean!

 

[DMickey28]

Hi Jean!! Becareful, we have the sickies going around here along with the grumpy heads!!

Are your toddlers getting picky with what they will eat? DS is good for all meals except dinner. He eats decent breakfast, lunch and snacks but dinner is a constant battle. I usually don't fight much. It's not a battle worth picking and I don't want food to become an "issue". I figure he will eat when he is hungry. I also think he is too young to understand, you don't eat this you go without. I'll do that when he is older and more grown!! For the longest time he only wanted Mac N Cheese for dinner. It didin't matter if it was homemade or not he ate it. He would also have a lot of fruit and his milk with dinner. Now he is done with Mac N Cheese and I have been changing it up between homemade chicken nuggets, lil' smokies/kielbasa and hot dogs. He won't eat anything else. He won't eat pasta. He won't eat plain meat unless it's steak. He won't eat anything else!! It's nice because it's easy to feed him but it annoying because I worry that's not a good diet for a kid!! For breakfast he'll have a waffle/bagel and cream cheese with fruit and yogurt or cottage cheese. He eats fruit and yogurt and a sandwich for lunch more days as well. His snacks are pretty healthy for the most part. He drinks 2 sippies of milk, one with dinner and one after dinner before bed with carnation instant breakfast. He drinks very watered down juice or plain water the rest of the time.

***
Good News for me ... Dh is not traveling this week. We may have a shot at the eggie this month ... now for a game plan!!! I hate the "planning" nature of this!

Bad News - St. Louis isn't an option anymore. Dh is bummed but I think he is really going to start looking for a new job. This one is horrible!!

 

[clgwli]

Thanks for the welcome. We've dealt with sickies around here lately though most of it was cold/flu. My little guy was all snotty (literally) for about 3 weeks straight. Doesn't help he was teathing at the same time too.

Bethany we dealt with separation anxiety around Christmastime this year. It was so hard to put Cris to bed. Before that from about 7 months on to 13 months we could just put him in his bed, pat him a little and he'd go to sleep. Once he had separation anxiety it was about like putting a newborn to bed. A month or so later we were back to normal and now bed time is easy again. separation anxiety made church very hard for me too since there are times when I need to do things without him. Fortunately I had good friends who knew to just walk out with him if he screamed after going to them.

Our biggest issue is the teething right now. He's doing molars and canines all at once (all of them). Only 2 or 3 have officially broken through. Eating is not fun for him at all

DMickey good luck with the TTC. And good luck with the job hunt for your husband. Mine just found a new job here and I think we'll be happy again with the hours and the company itself.

 

[beckmrk04]

Bad News - St. Louis isn't an option anymore. Dh is bummed but I think he is really going to start looking for a new job. This one is horrible!!

Boo. I was already planning playdates. (j/k). Hopefully your DH will find something else that is much better, better paying, and makes you all happy! AND- I hope you get your game plan together for O day!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have had the MAJOR munchies all day! I am snacking/grazing on everything in this darn house- I am particularly addicted to Emerald Trail Mix- Breakfast blend! OHmygoodness- it is so yummy! I could eat a gallon of it. Thankfully, it is not sold in gallons, only in pre-portioned packages. And I have had 3 today.

And, a week from Friday I get my IUD out! I'm excited. I think charting my temps is going to make me baby-crazy, though. But, since my sis is having a baby in November, I want to wait a while (I don't want to be all sick and pregnant when her first arrives). Plus, we have lots to do- our 5 year anniversary is in Oct., I have to plan a baby shower, then there are the holidays. But, maybe we'll start trying in December.... I don't know. I am going to go get a pap with my OB about a month after I get the IUD out, and talk things over with him about my approach for the next pregnancy, see what he thinks...

 

[DMickey28]

Becky - You are freaking me out ... we have our 5 year in October too!!! Congrats on getting the IUD out. That's exciting!! We were going to start TTC in December when DS came along in July!! HA .... I am just ready for a new baby. Thanks for the well wishes with DH. Hopefully things will work out soon!!

Jean - That's rough with the teeth. We are actually worse with sleeping now than a few months ago. I have no clue what's up here!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Wow, we just had our 5 yr. anniversary 2/28! Our big celebration was dropping the boy off with friends and going out to dinner at a little neighborhood place called "The Garage". Not terribly fancy or romantic, I'm afraid!

Welcome, Jean! So far Owen hasn't had any separation issues at church, and I'm hoping that lasts. Usually he seems plenty happy to be taken to the nursery and left with the other kids there. Occasionally he'll protest as I (or DH) walk out the door, but that's always over in a second. And he's easily comforted by goldfish crackers, which he only gets at church. I hope it doesn't become an issue, since I teach a college/young adults sunday school class this quarter, and I occasionally do special music or the children's message during the service. Oh well. At least he'll grow out of it eventually.


And for fun news, I get to babysit my friends' 2 month old DD once a week for a couple hours, starting next monday! They have a 4yr. old DD who is in a parent co-op preschool, and the mom doesn't want to bring the new baby with her when it's her turn to help out at the preschool. The 2mDD is a much easier baby than their DD4yr, thank goodness! They use a Moby wrap, just like I have with Owen, and they said the little one just loves to be carried in the Moby all day. Owen should be napping for most of the time she's here, too, so hopefully it won't be too difficult, although I'm anticipating some challenges since I will be caring for a 15m old AND a 2m old at the same time! I told DH that this is both my baby fix AND birth control, all in one!